A Thing of Beauty by John Keats

A Thing of Beauty is a poem written by the famous romantic poet, John Keats. The poem
tells about how nature and its wonder mesmerize us and take away all the sorrow that
surrounds us from time to time. The following explanation might aid you in understanding this
exceptional piece of work in poetry.
Background
Endymion is an epic poem in English. This poem by Keats is based on the Greek mythology
of Endymion, the shepherd beloved by the moon goddess Selene. We see an elaboration of
the original story and the moon Goddess Selene is named as “Cynthia”.
The poem equates Endymion’s original romantic ardor with a more universal quest for a self-
destroying transcendence in which he might achieve a blissful personal unity with all creation.

Endymios in Greek mythology is a story of a handsome youth who spent much of his life
sleeping. There are different views related to Endymion. According to some tradition
Endymion was the king of Elis. Several traditions say that he was offered by Zeus to choose
anything he might desire and Endymionin order to remain young forever chose an everlasting
sleep.

While some tradition says Endymion’s eternal sleep was a punishment given by Zeus,
because Endymion fell in love with Zeus’s wife Hera. Selene was deeply in love with
Endymion, some say Selene had cursed Endymion into everlasting sleep so that she can
enjoy him all by herself.

Selene’s love for Endymion made her visit him every night while he was asleep. But in the
poem Keats emphasizes on Endymion’s love for Diana rather than on hers for him. Keats
transformed this tale into prose to express the loves that have been felt on imaginative
longings.
This theme of love is determined in the adventure of the Endymion quest by Diana. In the
search for Diana Endymion falls in love with an earthly maiden. But in the end Diana and the
earthly maiden turn out to be one and the same.
Poem
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Very simply put, yet poetic, Keats describes a thing of beauty as emanating joy forever. Its
beauty only increases and it will never cease. The benefits proffered by a thing of beauty are
listed as giving sound rest with good dreams and well-being.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits…
The earth minus the beautiful things is a despondent, spiteful place thriving in callous
insensitive dearth and is harsh toward human beings. Every day human beings face gloomy
days packed with unhealthy spite and darkness. However, in spite of all, a thing of beauty
helps remove the dark cloud that burdens our souls. Hence, the poet says that we – human
beings – each day create an ornate band, made of all the lovely things we see. This band
keeps us bound to the despondent earth – as we would otherwise be hopeless.

… Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sparkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
This closing paragraph simply tells us some of the beautiful things on Earth. After all, beauty
lies in the eyes of the beholder – Everyone can highlight something beautiful in anything. The
examples cited by the poet are as such: the sun, the moon, trees, flowers, streams, musk-
rose blooms, architectural sepulchers, even fairy tales or heroic legends. The ‘simple
sheep’ are human beings – the poet sympathizes with the innocence of human beings. Keats
sees the beauty in innocent humans seeking solace in nature, and Mother Nature in its own
way sprouts a shady abode of relief and consolation. The expression ‘Lily of the valley’ is
quite well known and rouses images of a delicate lone white flower holding up its head amidst
a setting of thorns and barbs and everything contrary in nature to delicateness – so too are
the daffodils mentioned in the poem.
The poet also sees beauty in the death of martyrs and legends. ‘The mighty dead’ are those
martyrs who have died bravely for a cause. We honor them by erecting magnificent, grand
sepulchers in which beauty is seen. If one looks around, there are innumerable beautiful
things to notice – they seem to flow immortally as a fountain, from the gods above to help the
pitiable human beings to cope with the harshness of life.

Explanation

A beautiful thing is a source of eternal joy, its attractiveness grows with the passage of time
and its impact never fades away. It is as pleasant as a cool quiet bower or sound sleep with
sweet dreams; or robust health and mental peace. It provides the beholder with a haven of
tranquility and solace.

It is the beauty of nature that keeps us attached to this earth. Every morning we collect fresh
lovely flowers and prepare garlands. The fascination for flowers is our bonding with the earth.
It helps us steer clear of despondency and disappointments. We forget all our despair, of
acute shortage of noble souls, of misfortunes that overtake us to test our forbearance. Life is
full of trials and tribulations and we often find ourselves in the midst of gloom. It is at such
depressing moments that a sight full of beauty dispels the pall of sadness from our spirits
making room for hope and optimism.

The objects of beauty are countless. These include heavenly bodies like the sun and the
moon, the old and young trees that provide cool shelter to sleep, the daffodil flowers encased
in green leaves, the streams that flow through a shady passage which they make themselves
with plants, and the bushes that bear fragrant flowers. These simple and even commonplace
things lift the human spirit filling it with joy and delight. In addition to these objects of nature,
there are wonderful tales of our legendary heroes, who lived and died heroically, which inspire
us with their matchless beauty. These beautiful things are metaphorically an endless source
of nectar that pours down to us from heaven bringing eternal joy for the soul’s grandeur. They
are like an elixir of life, a never diminishing source of pleasure and delight, an endless
fountain of joy that seems to be a precious gift from Heaven.

(Q.) List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem. (2Marks)

The things of beauty are the sun, the moon, old and new trees, daffodils, clear rills, musk
roses that bloom among the thick forest ferns.
(Q.) List the things that cause suffering and pain.(2 Marks)
The things that cause suffering are dark phases of our life, adverse circumstances, gloomy
days, death of noble people and bad health.
(Q.) What does the line ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’
suggest?(2 Marks)
As a result of all the beautiful things around us, every morning we are weaving a flowery
wreath to bind us to the beauties of the earth despite all the sadness.
(Q.) What makes human beings love life in spite of all troubles?
(2 Marks)
In spite of all the sufferings, a beautiful thing helps us to remove the cover of gloom or
darkness from our lives.
(Q.) Why is grandeur associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
(2 Marks)
Grandeur is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because they will always be remembered for
their noble and splendid deeds and creations. They have left behind a legacy for us to enjoy.
(Q.) Do we experience things of beauty only for a short time?
(2 Marks
No, these things of beauty have lasting impression on us. It never passes into nothingness.
(Q.) What image does the poet uses to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
(2 Marks)
The poet draws out the image of ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ that poursjoy on us
from the brink of heaven. These are the beautiful things in nature or man-made objects that
he calls ‘immortal drink’.
(Q.) How does a thing of beauty provide us shelter and comfort?
(2 Marks)
John Keats is a great Romantic poet. He creates images that soothe our senses. Nature
bestows us with things of rare beauty. It keeps the shade of trees ready for us to be
comfortable and peaceful in it. Beautiful things also provide peace and security so that
wecan enjoy sound sleep. We are able to enjoy sweet dreams, good health because of
them.
(Q.) What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it
removed? (2 Marks)
Man makes his life miserable and full of suffering because of his own actions. The pall of
despondence is the sadness that is a result ofone’s own actions. A thing of beauty works
wonders for man and removes the cover of gloom from his dampened spirits.
(Q.) What is the message of the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’?
(2 Marks)
Keats, an ardent lover of nature, in his poem refers to the powers of nature. He urges
mankind to realise these powers and make his life enjoyable and worth living. He tells us
how a thing of beauty provides perennial joy to us.
(Q.) How do the ‘daffodils’ and ‘clear rills’ enrich our environment?
(2 Marks)
Daffodils are lovely white flowers that bloom in green surroundings. The ‘clear rills’ or clear
streams of water create cooling comfort or passage for themselves as they pass through the
thick bushes and ward away the heat of the sun.
(Q.) What is the ‘grandeur of the dooms’ and ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’?
(2 Marks)
The ‘grandeur of the dooms’ is a reference to our mighty and dead ancestors who have
created beautiful objects for us. On the other hand, the ‘endless fountain’ is the everlasting joy
provided to us by the bounties of nature in the form of nectar pouring on us from heaven.
(Q.) What makes human beings love life in spite of all troubles and sufferings?
(2 Marks)
Human beings love life because nature is the best healer and brings beauty and joy to our life.
The memory of beautiful experiences helps us to bear our sorrows.

(Q.) Explain Lines 1-5 of the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ by John Keats

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

(Ans)

According to the poet, John Keats, a thing of beauty is a source of constant joy. Its beauty

goes on increasing.It will never fade and pass into nothingness. A bower is a peaceful and

pleasant place in the shade of a tree. It provides shelter or protection from the hot rays of

the sun. A beautiful thing also gives us sound sleep, full of pleasant dreams, health and

peaceful breathing. Beauty, hence does not lead to inertia but a constant battle to guard our

nature/earth.
(Q.) Explain Lines 6-13 of the poem ‘A Thing of beauty’ by John keats.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

(Ans)

As a result of this every morning we are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties

of the earth despite the sadness and the feeling of depression. We all possess evil qualities

of hatred and disappointed. We suffer from lack of noble qualities and unhealthy evil ways.

In spite of all this a beautiful thing helps to remove the cover of gloom or darkness from our

lives. It makes us love life despite the things that make us sad and dampen our spirits.

(Q.) Explain Lines 14-20 of the poem ‘A Thing of beauty’ by John Keats.

Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

‘Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms (3 Marks)

(Ans)

The sun, the moon, trees old and young are all sources of happiness for us. The trees

sprout and spread their branches to provide shelter within their green covering for the

simple sheep. The daffodils bloom within the green surroundings in which they grow. The

clear and small streams of water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot

season. The thick mass of ferns looks grand with their beautiful musk roses.

(Q.) Explain Lines 21-25 of the poem ‘A Thing of beauty’ by John Keats.
And sun too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read;

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink (3 Marks)

(Ans)

The mighty dead people whose achievements made them great and powerful inspire us

through their sagas of their noble works. Their legends and stories enthuse us and we

imagine their magnificence. A beautiful thing is also a source of joy just as the lovely tales

we have heard or read give us profound happiness. A fountain of immortality pours its

sacred and immortal drink into the heart and soul of man. This immortal drink gushing out

from nature’s endless fountain is a source of immense joy for us.

(Q.) Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow:

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

a) Name the poem and the poet.

b) How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?

c) What do you understand by a ‘bower’?

d) What kind of a sleep does it provide? (4 Marks)

(Ans)

(a) The poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.(b) A thing of beauty provides
everlasting joy. Its beauty never decreases but continues to

increase with the passage of time. It never fades away.

(c) ‘Bower’ is the shelter under the shade of trees. It provides protection from the harsh

rays of the sun.

(d) It provides a sound sleep, full of sweet dreams, health and peaceful breathing.

(Q.) Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

a) What are we doing every day?

b) Which evil things do we possess and suffer from?

c) Explain ‘in spite of all’.

d) Find words from the passage which mean

i) Malice

ii) Disappointment

(4 Marks)

(Ans)

(a) Every morning, we are weaving a flowery wreath which binds us to the beauties of the

earth.

(b) Human beings possess qualities of malice, hatred and disappointment. There is a

shortage of noble qualities and men continue to be evil and unhealthy.

(c) In spite of all evils mentioned by the poet.

(d) i) Spite; ii) Despondence

(Q.) Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon.

For simple sheep;

…….

a) What removes the pall from our dark spirits?

b) What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how?

c) Find words from the passage that mean

i) Covering

ii) Blessing

d) Name the poem and the poet. (4 Marks)

(Ans)

(a) A thing of beauty removes the pall from our dark spirits.

(b) The old and young trees sprout branches to provide shade and shelter to sheep. It is a

blessing for the sheep against the harsh sun.

(c) i) Pall; ii) Boon

(d) The poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ and the poet is ‘John Keats’

.(Q.) . …and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;

a) How do ‘daffodils’ and ‘rills’ enrich the environment?

b) What makes the mid forest brake rich?

c) Find words in the passage which mean:

i) Small streams

ii) Shelter of thickets

d) Cooling covert is a

i) Simile

ii) Metaphor

iii) Personification

iv) Alliteration (4 Marks)

(Ans)
(a) The daffodils bloom and are surrounded by the green surroundings. The clear streams of

water create a cooling shelter for themselves against the heat of the sun.

(b) The beautiful musk-roses help to make the beautiful forest rich in beauty.

(c) i) Clear ‘rills’; ii) Covert

(d) Alliteration

(Q.) And sun too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read;

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink

a) Explain ‘the grandeur of the doom’.

b) What is implied by ‘all lovely tales that we have heard or read’?

c) What is the source of the ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’? (4 Marks)

(Ans)

(a) The magnificence that we associate with our ancestors and the beautiful things created

by them.

(b) All the beautiful stories that have been read or heard by us are also surpassed in beauty

by the beauties of nature.

(c) The source of the endless fountain of immortal drink is ‘the brink of heaven’.